The nine-month figure was up 4.7 times year-on-year but equivalent to 69% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019, according to a report released by the General Statistics Office on Friday.

Spanish tourists pose for photos in front of a temple in Hoi An ancient town, September 2023.

September recorded 1.05 million foreign arrivals, marking the third consecutive month when foreign tourist arrivals exceeded 1 million.

South Korea has been the largest source of tourist arrivals with over 2.5 million in the first nine months, followed by China (1.1 million).

Taiwan has surpassed the U.S. (548,000) to become the third biggest tourist sender with 575,000, and Japan came fifth with 414,000.

Hoang Nhan Chinh, secretariat director of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board, said Vietnam's tourism industry had received strong support from the government in relaxing visa policies.

By the end of the year, Vietnam can welcome 12-13 million international visitors, or even more, he added.

The peak season of international tourism season typically lasts from September until April next year as Western tourists flock to Vietnam for a winter holiday break.

Starting from August 15, Vietnam accepted e-visa registration from citizens from all countries and territories, with the visa valid for multiple entries and for 90 days.

In addition to grating e-visas to all countries, the government also extended the duration of stays in Vietnam from 15 to 45 days for citizens of 13 countries unilaterally exempted from visas.

In 2019, the country welcomed a record 18 million foreign visitors and earned tourism revenues of VND750 trillion ($30 billion).

Southeast Asian countries have sped up in an international tourism recovery race, relaxing visa policies and boosting tourism promotion campaigns.

Earlier this week, Thailand started granting visa exemption for Chinese and Kazakhstan tourists while Indonesia recently offered its golden visa policy that allows foreigners to stay up to 10 years.

Vietnam developing community-based tourism associated with local culture

Developing community-based tourism in association with indigenous culture has received due attention from various localities across Vietnam, as it has proved effective in attracting both domestic and foreign tourists.

Co To Island enforces plastic ban for tourists

Starting from Friday, tourists visiting the Co To Island of northeastern Quang Ninh Province will be subject to a new rule: no plastic bags or single-use plastic items allowed.

Thousands of tourists flock to tourism destinations in Bac Giang during 4-day holiday

BAC GIANG-  The National Day holiday this year lasted 4 days (from 1 to 4 September). Despite hot weather, the tourism destinations in the province received a large number of tourists from Bac Giang and other provinces.

Ba Chua Xu Temple named exemplary spiritual tourist destination in Asia - Pacific

The Ba Chua Xu (Holy Mother of the Realm) Temple on Sam Mountain in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang has been recognised as an “Exemplary Spiritual Tourist Destination in Asia - Pacific” by the Vietnam - India Economic and Cultural Exchange Forum.

Culture-tourism village hosts activities 'Happy Independence Day'

This September, more than 200 artisans, compatriots, and artists are set to participate in the activities and events that mark National Day, at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism (in Dong Dong Mo Tourism Area, Son Tay District, Hanoi).

Source: VnExpress